The government through the State Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME’s) is in process of reviewing policies to unlock more business opportunities.
Speaking during the Western Region Stakeholders’ public participation forum for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) policy of 2025 and MSE amendment bill, 2025 held in Busia town, PS for State Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department Susan Mang’eni said the government is determined to fully support the MSME’s.
“MSMES is the main pillar of the BETA agenda and is the basic for the growth of our economy and that brought the need to look at the regulatory and policy framework and look on how to ease the ways of doing and getting in business and reduce the cost that is required to venture into business,’ she said.
Mangeni stated that there are many opportunities available in the global market hence the need to address the policies to unlock such opportunities through relevant policy frameworks.
“We have many emerging opportunities in the global market which we want to see on how to unlock and this calls us to look at our policy framework. There are opportunities at global trade and even economic partnership agreements we have with the European Union and also various trade agreements that are under consideration now with the USA government,’ she said.
She added that 98% of the businesses are MSME’s and people taking those opportunities will be mostly from the sector and they need to be well prepared for an initiative the government is already working on.
Furthermore, the PS stated the need to address the existing gap in medium enterprise which will result in increase in job creation.
Moreover, improved legislation and policies can foster growth from micro to small enterprises, creating job opportunities and innovations in medium enterprises, ultimately leading to increased job creation.
Mangeni called upon stakeholders to come together and prioritize creating a good environment for engaging in business.
“We need to enterprise every space in our life and add value to all services and products, for instance you are a doctor, you can be providing consultant services and get paid. We need to create a good environment for Micro small and medium enterprises and support each other and these calls for everyone to work together,’ she said.
She challenged residents to venture in production of agricultural products which produce edible oil to benefit from the money spent by the government to import edible oil.
“The country spends Ksh. 150 billion to import edible oils yearly while here in Busia our soil is good for ground nuts and sim sim which can be used to produce oil. Why can’t we increase the production of this product so that we can start producing oil and at least retain some of this money,” she stated.
Participants led by Christopher Kwache from Vihiga said there is a need for people to come together and benefit from the funds from the government and do business to create job opportunities.
“My urge is for people to come out in groups and register so that they can benefit from government funds to do business and improve the country’s economy. We are also encouraging people living with disabilities to register because opportunities for them are many,’ he said.
Busia County Bodaboda Chairperson Bonface Okumu expressed his expectations that their views will be considered.
“Having such forums to common people will enable the government to understand the needs of people and come up with policies that impact on people’s lives directly. We are confident that our views will be considered” he said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
